Women’s Empowerment & Poverty

The tools that PCI brings to our programs help define the concept of transformational development: finding solutions to poverty through the aspirations, talent, and skills of the people we serve. PCI helps prevent disease and promote family health and nutrition, combats violence against women, and works to empower women and youth to become community leaders. PCI’s economic development programs provide individuals with the education, skills, and access to capital they need to increase their livelihood security and self-sufficiency.

At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day. The poorest 40% of the world’s population accounts for 5% of global income. The richest 20% accounts for three-quarters of world income. Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. 1.6 billion people — a quarter of humanity — live without electricity. Of the 1.3 billion people worldwide in extreme poverty, 70% of them are women or girls. Women work two-thirds of the world’s working hours, but earn only 10 percent of the world’s income. They own less than 1 percent of the world’s property.